Roselle spa
NOT FAR FROM GROSSETO, IN THE TUSCAN MAREMMA, ARE THE HISTORICAL THERMAL BATHS OF ROSELLE “LEOPOLDINE”. THE THERMAL WATERS FLOW OUT AT A TEMPERATURE OF 38 DEGREES CENTIGRADE.
In Roselle there are the oldest spas in the Tuscan Maremma, already used in Roman times for the precious healing virtues of the thermal waters. Roselle, an important city founded by the Etruscans and later Roman, is a wonderful enigma of contemporary archaeology. It is no coincidence that the meaning of the ancient name Rusellae corresponds to the Italian concept “flowing waters, area or town of currents”, thanks precisely to the hydro-thermal nature of the Rosella area. One of the ancient thermal springs came out on the slopes of Colle di Moscona with a high heat of 38 degrees centigrade and in Roman times, they were enlarged, so much so that they were called Baths of Diocletian (Balneum de Roselle) for a restoration wanted by the emperor himself. Almost completely abandoned in the Middle Ages, like the rest of the Maremma, the spa was taken back into consideration by the Sienese Republic in 1334. Only after the meeting of the Tuscan State was there any renewed interest in the Roselle Baths. In 1822, Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Lorraine ordered the restoration of the thermal establishment, completed in 1824 based on a design by the architects Giuseppe Rossi and Lorenzo Corsi (a few years later the historic reclamation of the Maremma of 1828 under Leopold II of Lorraine would begin). During the works, various objects from various eras came to light, including 4 marble lion heads with their mouths open like a gargoyle due to the jet of water; probable late Etruscan work of Hellenistic influence. Two heads were placed at the entrance to the spa, where they are still preserved (the other two are now kept in the Archaeological Museum of Grosseto). On the facade’s gable, a plaque dedicated to Pietro Leopoldo commemorates these events.
THE THERMAL WATERS OF THE ROSELLE AREA HAVE A SPECIAL SULPHATE-ALKALINE-EARTH COMPOSITION, ARE RICH IN CARBONIC ACID AND WEAKLY RADIOACTIVE.
The springs in which the entire Rosella area is rich are valid for the musculoskeletal system, such as arthritic or arthritic disorders, post-operative treatments, rehabilitation for fractures, treatments of some skin diseases, treatments for gastrointestinal problems, respiratory tract treatments . Until 1964 they were open all year round, the flood of 1966 diverted the flow (although this event has never been demonstrated geologically, leaving various interpretations open in this regard). The ancient building of the Leopoldine Baths can still be visited by tourists, closed for more than forty years, it was restored in 1984 without restoring the thermal function. The Municipality of Grosseto has already started the construction of the new modern spa facility of a curative and recreational nature (already partly built and abandoned to itself), but the “entire policy” for several years now has absolutely contributed to the reopening of the Roselle Baths, which would constitute an important resource for La Maremma Grossetana and the entire Tuscany region.
